San Bartolomeo al Mare
San Bartolomeo, the charming Ligurian municipality
San Bartolomeo al Mare is an Italian municipality in the province of Imperia, Liguria, with a population of around 2,940 inhabitants.
Physical geography
Located on the Riviera di Ponente, San Bartolomeo al Mare occupies the lower part of the Steria valley in the province of Imperia, at the eastern end of the Riviera dei Fiori. Along with seven other municipalities, it is included in the Dianese Gulf area.
History
Discoveries in the urban area of Rovere, including the remains of a building with large rooms and ceramic objects and artifacts, as well as traces of late Roman burials, seem to refer to the remains of a Roman mansion called 'Lucus Bormani' that was destroyed between the 1st and 2nd century.
Part of the territories of the Roman Empire, San Bartolomeo grew in importance thanks to the construction of the Julia Augusta Road in 13 BC. Like other towns in Liguria, it was attacked by Barbarians and Saracens later on.
The territory of San Bartolomeo, along with surrounding towns, was under the rule of the Marchesato di Clavesana until the third decade of the 14th century, then under the Del Carretto family until 1382, and later under the Republic of Genoa.
After the fall of the Genoese republic, San Bartolomeo became part of the Ligurian Republic from 2 December 1797. From 1815 it was included in the Kingdom of Sardinia (1720-1861), as established by the Congress of Vienna in 1814, and later in the Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946) from 1861.
In 1923, Royal Decree no. 2769 established the suppression of the San Bartolomeo municipality in favor of its incorporation into the municipality of Diano Marina; a subsequent royal decree - no. 1533 of 7 August 1925 - decreed the passage of San Bartolomeo del Cervo into the reconstituted municipality of Cervo. In 1947, the establishment of the municipality of San Bartolomeo del Cervo led to its separation from the municipality of Cervo.
Places of interest
San Bartolomeo al Mare is a renowned tourist destination thanks to its fine sandy beaches and the long promenade along the beach, known as the "Passeggiata delle palme", adorned with beautiful palm trees that delimit the seafront. The municipality also boasts several sailing schools and various sports activities such as cycling and golf.
The historic center of San Bartolomeo al Mare offers plenty to entice art and history enthusiasts. The Castle of Clavesana, the Church of San Bartolomeo, and the Church of Our Lady of Grace are examples of works and monuments that characterize the territory.
Cultural events
San Bartolomeo al Mare organizes various events that highlight the culture and traditions of Liguria, such as Medievae, a festival dedicated to the medieval period; the Feast of Our Lady of the Scalo, which celebrates the patron saint of the town; and the International Volleyball Tournament, which attracts teams from all over the world.
Ligurian cuisine
The cuisine of San Bartolomeo al Mare reflects the flavors of the Ligurian territory, with traditional dishes such as the farinata, vegetable pie, focaccia, fresh pasta with pesto, and cima, a meat-based dish.
Conclusions
San Bartolomeo al Mare is a fascinating location that blends history, art, culture, and cuisine. Thanks to its beautiful beaches and a wide range of sports activities, it is an ideal destination for those who want to spend relaxing and fun vacations on the Riviera dei Fiori. There is no shortage of cultural and culinary events, which allow you to appreciate the beauty of the territory and the traditions of Liguria.
